Pilgrims in Lhasa

Arrived last night, Christmas Eve, in Lhasa at 7:00. There was room in the inn so we did not have to stay in a stable. Did not see hide or hair of the Three Wise Men. Instead of sending email greetings to everyone I will just give Season Greetings to All here . . .

Now in Tsedang City. Internet connection is slow here. Will post more later . . .

Flew to Tibet this morning and drove on to Samye Monastery near Tsedang. Founded in the 770s, this is the oldest monastery in Tibet. Staying today in the guest house here.

The Giant Buddha at Leshan, 245 feet high, carved out of a solid sandstone cliff

Currenty in Chengdu, China, after a whirlwind trip through Hong Kong. Will have more news as soon as I find a better internet cafe . . .

In case you missed "Visit Mongolia 2003", the big government sponsored drive to attract tourists to Mongolia, you will have a second chance. They've decided to do it again, as in "Visit Mongolia 2004". It seems "Visit Mongolia 2003" was more-or-less a bust, mainly because of the Killer Virus Thing (remember that?). Government tourism officials hoped for 200,000 tourists in 2003 but got only 168,300, down 10% from the year before. Japanese make up the biggest group of tourists to Mongolia, with 6997 visiting in 2003, compared to 9424 in 2002. And don't forget, the 800th anniversary of the founding of the Mongol Empire, is coming up in 2006. Many dignitaries from all over the world are coming, but presumably not Saddam Hussein.

Well, yesterday I said that Fahreinheit and Celcius scales were equal at 39 below zero, but the Weather Service seems to think differently, as indicated in this morning's temperature. People, it is frosty out.

People, it's getting cold here! We are soon approaching that magic number of 39 below zero which is the same in both C. and F. scales.

I woke up this morning thinking about Tibet; perhaps because the end of the year is approaching and I spent last New Year's Eve in Lhasa.


Steps leading up to the Potala in Lhasa

Drepung Monastery in Lhasa

The ruins of the old Fortress (center) in Shigatse